Four-star safety commits to the Tigers

AUBURN | Griffin (Ga.) four-star safety Jordan Colbert committed to Auburn during a Saturday visit to the Plains in front of the coaching staff and his closest family and friends.

"There is no place like Auburn," Colbert told AuburnSports.com. "I found that out about two weeks ago. Every time I go to Auburn I learn something new and it just added on to why I wanted to pick Auburn."

And his announcement wasn't the only thing Colbert was excited about. He celebrated his 17th birthday on Saturday as well.

"It just makes today that much more special," he said. "Not only did I decide to commit to the best school for me, but I get to celebrate my birthday, too. I'll always remember today."

Colbert is ranked as the No. 14 safety and holds offers from programs like Alabama, Clemson, Florida State and, most recently, his childhood favorite Georgia. He received an Auburn offer in January and has remained a top priority for the Tigers' coaching staff.

After visiting for A-Day last weekend, Colbert knew that he couldn't wait any longer. He had originally planned on announcing his decision during the Under Armour All-American game next January, but felt like the sooner he made it official the better.

"The coaches met me every time I visited Auburn," he said. "They don't just make me feel at home, but they make my family do as well including my little brother and sister. That was something that was really good for me in particular. Family is the most important thing and Auburn is like my family now."

Safeties coach Charlie Harbison is Colbert's lead recruiter and the two have built a special bond over the last few months. That was a key factor in Colbert's final decision.

"He is an Auburn man and it shows," he said. "When I came up for Junior Day we watched a PowerPoint on what it takes to be an Auburn man and what kind of a person you leave Auburn as. When I look at Coach Cheese, he is the same person from the PowerPoint.

"The main thing is that I want to buy into whatever he is trying to teach me," Colbert added. "We already have the relationship bond so it is going to be a really easy transition from high school to college. The last three or four times I visited, we have watched film on what they have going on scheme wise and he is already helping out."

Auburn is recruiting Colbert to play the star position, but Harbison has discussed potential packages that would shuffle the defender's roles.

"How he wants to use me I can play all three safety positions - the star, the strong and the free safety. Coach (Scott) Fountain tried to talk to me about playing H-back, too.

"Griffin to Auburn is less than two hours and he told me that once I made the decision to commit I can come up on the weekends and go over plays and try to better myself before I even step on the field."

Colbert is the sixth commitment in seven days for Auburn and the Tigers' seventh player from the Peach State.

However, he already feels like he is a part of the Auburn Family.

"We are going to be one big happy family," he said. "When I was at A-Day, I found out that the family atmosphere isn't just with the coaches, but I feel it with the players and the my fellow commits. Those are the guys that I am going to be transitioning into college life with. Ben Edwards is my boy. We were talking last night (Thursday) and we are probably going to room together."